Regulatory closet gets summer cleaning
Over the decades, state agencies and local governments have adopted a range of criminal penalties for offenses that, whatever their adverse social effects may be, don’t necessarily merit criminal prosecution.
Close
Opinion
-
-
N.C. sells liquor through 170 independent, political boards: What could go wrong?
It has begun. Or, probably more accurately, a local and statewide crusade to prevent privatization of North Carolina’s liquor business is intensifying. Even though legislative efforts to move toward a system of private licensure are relatively nascent, and a leader in…
-
SCOTUS showing subtleties of jurisprudence
We tend to think of U.S. Supreme Court justices as ideological, their views and actions mapping neatly onto the conventional liberal-to-conservative continuum of American politics. Their decisions are thought to conform to the party of the president who nominated them. The current conservative bloc is Chief Justice John Roberts…
-
Trade wars hurt Carolina workers
Lots of North Carolinians design, produce, process, transport, or market exports — and neither political posturing nor “tough” talk can replace the income they lose as other countries hike tariffs in response to ours.
-
Court ruling highlights problem plaguing N.C. certificate-of-need regime
The courtroom fight over a government permit ignores a key fact important to health care consumers in North Carolina.
-
Duke Energy is right on gas
If your goal is to reduce carbon emissions in electricity generation, the primary tools available are to replace coal with lower-emitting natural gas and to expand nuclear.
-
On school safety, smarter strategies for preventing harm
A new school year is weeks away, bringing new strategies for keeping kids safe. Topping the list: A smartphone app leveraging the eyes, ears, and savvy of students. Called Say Something, the app enables students to submit anonymous tips about threats on social media or at school.
-
No kidding, North Carolina taxes illegal drugs
“Hey! Did you pay taxes on those drugs, mister? Probably not, right?” Unless you are buying your marijuana from a dispensary in a state where it’s legal, you probably aren’t paying taxes on your illicit substances. If not, you are likely committing two crimes: possession of a controlled substance and…
-
Courts should judge, not legislate
Judges shouldn’t be afraid to strike down unconstitutional laws, but when they try to act as policymakers they subvert constitutional government rather than defend it.
-
Gerrymandering trial features much ado about the wrong thing
Lawyers spent more time trashing experts than delving into the key constitutional question.